GEA confirms gas shortage, October experienced supply constraints

…Guyoil to commence regular distribution
Head of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Mahender Sharma, has confirmed some measure of gas shortages occurring within the city and its environs. Following complaints of gas shortages during the past few weeks, the Energy Agency explained that difficulty was experienced in acquiring fuel last month.
The agency said that difficulty was also experienced with its regular Venezuela supplies. Sharma said that Guyana imports gasoline (mogas) from Petrotrin, Trinidad and PDVSA, Venezuela.  “For the month of October 2014, Petrotrin experienced some supply constraints due to technical issues with their blending facilities.”
Sharma said that there were also some delays experienced at PDVSA (PetrÓleos de Venezuela, S.A.)  This affected supplies of gasoline to Guyana.  GEA said that it understands that while some Guyoil stations experienced supply disruptions in the last few days, gasoline was available from other suppliers.
The agency said, however, that the state gas agency, Guyoil, has since received gasoline, and distribution to the various stations have commenced.
Vehicle operators on West Coast Demerara said that they were most hard hit by the shortage. They reported grave gas shortages being experienced within the past few weeks. The operators complained about being able to buy small amounts of fuel, while some service stations “from Anna Catherina to Parika” were said to be without fuel.
They said that after purchasing fuel once for the day they were not permitted to purchase again.
Service stations within Georgetown and on East Bank Demerara also reported shortages but were not as gravely hit as those on the West Bank.  Vehicle operators said that gas prices also rose from $228 per litre to as much as $320 per litre during the crisis.
When the publication made visits to gas stations in an around the city, some said they had gas but small amounts. Rubis’ Georgetown station reported having gas. Shell reported that for the time, there was gas but they were affected by the shortage.
Fuel providers had reported difficulty securing a ship and many of them said they were awaiting its arrival to get fuel.
A Guyoil agent had told this publication that for three weeks he was unable to operate his gas station as a result of the shortage. He said his station was closed but he expects to receive fuel for the weekend.
It is expected the gas availability will return to normal by the new week.